Duties

To monitor the development and implementation of the University Research Strategy, taking action as necessary to ensure its delivery. To monitor the implementation of School Research Strategies, ensuring alignment with the University Strategy.

To support the development of research at the University.

To develop strategies to maximise research impact across the University.

To oversee, advise and direct the development and growth of centres of research excellence in the University, advising Executive and Senate on investments in these areas as required.

To oversee and direct the University’s preparations for the next Research Excellence Framework.

To promote a vibrant research environment – supporting the acquisition and sustainability of state-of-the-art facilities; enabling and supporting a critical mass of PhDs, post-doctoral and Early Career Researchers; enabling the achievement of impact with significance and reach; promoting excellence in publishing practice; and supporting academic staff in attaining the highest levels of achievement in their research careers.

To advise on the University’s response to key external drivers and regulatory requirements, for example open access publishing, research data management, and research integrity.

To promote and develop the University’s capability to win external funding for research and enterprise activities across all areas, including UKRI, Charities and Trusts, international funding sources and Industry; monitoring progress against targets towards these.

To identify and support the development of significant academic partnerships.

To encourage the research ambition of staff and facilitate the development of the environment and institutional policies for the development of significant industrial partnerships.

Support the development of a supportive environment for the development and exploitation of IP, working with the ICE Panel as appropriate and sharing membership with that group to ensure a co-ordinated approach.

To encourage external promotion of research including through public lectures, open events and appropriate media opportunities.

To identify, share and promote best practice in research and enterprise activities across the Schools.

Membership

Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research (Chair)

Director of Research Strategy, Funding and Impact (Secretary)

Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Graduate School

Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research Integrity

Associate Dean for Research (Aston Business School)

Associate Dean for Research (Aston Medical School)

Associate Dean for Research (Engineering and Applied Sciences)

Associate Dean for Research (Life and Health Sciences)

Associate Dean for Research (Languages and Social Sciences)

Chair of the University Ethics Committee Director of Information Resources (Library Services)

Director of Industrial Research Partnerships

Director of Innovation Student representative (nominated via Dean of Graduate School and Aston postgraduate Research Student Society)

Representative of the ECR Forum

Other members may be co-opted from time to time. In case a School Associate Dean Research is unable to attend, s/he may designate the respective Impact Champion, Associate Dean for Enterprise or the School Director of PGR programmes to deputise.

Duties delegated to the Graduate School Management Committee

To consider and make recommendations on all matters concerning the regulation, assurance and enhancement of the quality and standards of research degree programmes including the supervision and examination of research students.

To monitor the extent and effectiveness of provision of research training, supervision and other support for research students.

Duties delegated to the University Research and Ethics Committee

The purpose of the University Research Integrity and Ethics Committee (URIEC) is to provide advice to the Research Committee and Senate on the development, implementation and review of institutional procedures and guidelines relating to research integrity and research ethics issues arising from research and other related activities, considering emerging issues of institutional, national, or international significance. URIEC will also provide support and oversight for the work of the College Research Ethics Committees (CRECs).

Standing sub-committees and working groups of the Research Committee

Graduate School Management Committee

Research Integrity Committee

Research Ethics Committees

ABS Research Committee

AMS Research Committee

EAS Research Committee

LHS Research and Enterprise Committee

LSS Research Committee

Impact Champions’ Working Group

Business Development Working Group

REF Management Group